The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has welcomed this morning’s announcement from the Federal Government of $7.2 billion in funding for urgent upgrades to bring the Bruce Highway to a 3-star safety standard minimum.
This $7.2 billion reflects 80 percent of the $9 billion total, with the Queensland State Government to fund the remaining 20 percent. QFF are relieved that both the Federal Government and Opposition support the reinstatement of the 80:20 Federal/State funding split for works on the Bruce Highway, which is currently split 50:50.
The return to an 80:20 funding split has been a key priority for QFF and our members as well as the broader Queensland community.
In 2024 QFF partnered with RACQ, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), the Queensland Trucking Association, and other peak industry bodies for the Fix The Bruce Campaign in the lead up to the State and Federal government elections.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said it is a positive start to the new year to see a commitment to the 80:20 split from both sides of federal politics.
“Fixing the Bruce requires bipartisan support and a federal and a state government committed to working closely together to simply get the job done,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Currently about half of the highway is rated at two-stars for safety, with several stretches rated at one-star. That clearly isn’t acceptable and as a result of these poor road conditions our state highway has a fatal and serious injury crash rate three to five times higher than comparable national highways in New South Wales and Victoria.”
“Between 2019 and 2023, an average of 31 people were killed in crashes on the Bruce Highway each year, and by November 2024, that average was already surpassed. With every crash there is also a loss in community confidence in regional Queensland. We are losing productivity, especially in agriculture but also in our state’s other rural industries.”
The Federal Government have confirmed that work on the Bruce Highway will begin this year under the funding package, and have flagged the installation of safety barriers, construction of wider shoulders, adding more overtaking lanes and rest areas, and resealing and rehabilitating surfaces to enhance resilience to major weather events as potential works under the funding.
“It was also positive to see an acknowledgement of the impact of weather events on the Bruce Highway. The Bruce is a critical conduit for Queensland agriculture and delays caused by these weather events, as well as crashes, have a significant impact on agricultural supply chains and in turn the economic outcomes of our state’s regional communities,” Ms Sheppard said.
“A safe and resilient Bruce Highway is absolutely essential to the Queensland agriculture sector, to our regional communities, and to the broader Queensland economy. QFF will work alongside Government to play an active role in ensuring Queensland agriculture is represented in the identification and prioritisation of projects under this funding through our membership in the Bruce Highway Advisory Council.”
Ms Sheppard also noted that it was positive to hear that the Federal Government had listened to experts, including those from RACQ and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in arriving at their funding decision.
“As projects begin under this funding it is absolutely critical that the State and Federal Governments continue to work together productively to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of works. QFF will continue to provide input on behalf of Queensland agriculture and regional communities.”
For more information on the Fix The Bruce Campaign, visit www.fixthebruce.com.au
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Media contact:
Anna Jones
Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
P: 0481 395 623